Global warming and carbon offsets

We now know activities like heating and cooling a home, driving a car and flying on an airplane contribute to global warming on a daily basis. They typically involve burning gasoline or coal as fuel, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

A good personal plan for reducing your carbon footprint includes:

1. Conserving resources as much as possible
2. Raising awareness about topics like resource conservation and global warming
3. Helping to counteract CO₂ emissions by purchasing credits from offset providers

Carbon offset providers

Research on offset providers quickly reveals a large and varied industry. Different offset providers generally represent different approaches to offsetting climate change.

Offsets from renewable energy sources represent potential energy that might be used instead of a fuel-burning source. For instance, many wind systems rely on coal-burning power plants during calm weather, which often happens at high temperatures when electricity needs are at a peak. Providers who work with different forms of biomass aren't all focused on local, sustainable practices and resource stewardship. And few systems are in place to help consumers verify or find information on the credits they buy.

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Growing Green Farms Carbon Offsets

Why choose offsets from biomass?

Biomass represents CO₂ that's actually been removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis and stored in the form of organic matter.

We think this represents a greener carbon offset option for those who are looking to counteract their activities and CO₂ emissions by actually helping to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Sample Crop Data, 2007

	For instance, we start with 36 bushels of crop per acre. Crop: 1,728 lbs. per acre A bushel of barley weighs 48 pounds A bushel of wheat weighs 60 pounds.
	Each acre includes additional residue, such as rich soil and organic matter. Residue: 2,353 lbs. per acre 65.35 residue lbs./bushel, according to NARC (Northern Agricultural Research Center) Havre, MSU, 1989–1993 Soil and organic matter include things like decomposing plant fibers and root systems
	That provides our total biomass or organic matter per acre of crop. Total biomass (crop + residue): 4,081 lbs. per acre Biomass includes the entire plant (leaves, stems, kernel) and roots
	Biologists tell us that a certain portion (approximately 41%) of that biomass is carbon. Carbon (biomass × .41): 1,673 lbs per acre
	Because carbon dioxide (CO2) is roughly 27% carbon, we know how much we've sequestered per acre of crop. CO2: 6,196 lbs. per acre

Why choose offsets from Growing Green Farms?

At our farm, practicing agriculture and thinking green go hand-in-hand. We've invested in advanced technology and carefully managed, sustainable practices. It's also why we participate in agricultural research and conservation efforts, and work to foster awareness about global warming and environmental stewardship.

Growing Green Farms is working to create a viable, greener future for our industry. Our results are measurable.

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Credit verification

Pounds of grain per acre are verified by actual third-party warehouse scale receipts and crop insurance records. During residue management in the fall, sequestration-mapping systems in our combines can also measure CO₂ yield. A certified crop adjuster performs biomass inspections during the growing season.

More information about verification is available upon request. Please contact us for more information.

Availability

The number of offset credits—each representing actual carbon dioxide sequestration—are measured and issued at the completion of the crop year. Verification means that only a certain number of offsets are available per year and the amount of available offsets can vary between years.

Cost and expenses

The proceeds from credit sales cover the direct expenses incurred by Growing Green Farms for crop cultivation, production and administration, plus a nominal rate of return. Because of the finite number of credits, representing the finite amount of CO₂ sequestered, the cost per credit can vary from year to year.

Expenses for the growing year are available upon request. Please contact us for more information.

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